The Independent Media Center (www.indymedia.org) was established in 1999 by various independent and alternative media organizations and activists for the purpose of enabling grassroots coverage of the World Trade Organization Protests in Seattle, Washington, US. It has grown to become a collective effort of hundreds of independent media makers who are dedicated to providing a forum for independent reporting about important social and political issues. There are now over 50 local Independent Media Centers (IMCs) around the world, with more on the way.
The Indymedia’s NewsWire works on the principle of "open publishing," which allows independent journalists and publications to publish the news they gather, instantaneously, on a globally accessible website. The Indymedia newswire encourages people to become the media by posting their own articles, analyses and information to the site. Are these people activists or journalists? The website asserts that this is a choice the individuals making the postings must decide, but that having a point of view does not preclude Indymedia reporters from delivering truthful, accurate news.
"Should you believe news you read on CNN.com?" asks Indymedia. "All reporters have their own biases; governments and massive for-profit corporations that own media entities have their own biases as well, and often impose their views on their reporters (or their reporters self-censor to conform their own biases to those of their employer). You should look at all reports you read on the Indymedia site with a critical eye, just as you should look at all media before you in a discerning manner."
The Jerusalem IMC posts regular reports on the situation in the occupied territories. One article, complete with photo is, "Microsoft & IDF: A Match Made in Hell." This report makes an interesting supplement to yesterday’s Arab News story, "Microsoft blames Israeli branch for outrageous advt." See it at http://jerusalem.indymedia.org/news/2002/04/17263.php.
